Culture
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Stories from Ancient China: Honesty, Revering Heaven and Taking Only That Which Is Yours
2006-01-17
Meanwhile, there was a rich man called Wang Zhong. He told Gongsun Mu, "You can achieve great things if you had money. I would like to give you a million coins to start a business. What do you think?" Gongsun Mu studied Hetu, Luoshu, and other books on cultivation. He understood the laws of heaven and predestination. He said, "Your kindness is deeply appreciated! Being rich or poor is for heaven to decide. I can have it only if it is in my life. I cannot take it from you!" -
The Profound Chinese Language (Episode 3): Turtle
2006-01-16This soldier was also driven into the river. When he was about to drown, he felt that his feet had touched a giant rock. He looked down and saw that the giant rock under his feet was actually the white turtle that he had rescued and released years ago. The white turtle carried the soldier to the other side of the river. It then nodded repeatedly toward the solider to thank him and then returned to the river. This is the famous historical story of the white turtle repaying its rescuer. -
Stories from Ancient China: Revere Heaven, Accept One's Destiny, and Fulfil One's Duties
2006-01-14He was given huge responsibilities, encountered unexpected disasters, and faced danger all the time, but no one ever saw him worried. He was always very peaceful and at ease, unmoved by any circumstances. Mr. Han Qi said, "I follow the principles of loyalty and self -restraint, therefore in difficult situations I have no fear of life or death. I am fortunate to be alive, and have accomplished my mission. My accomplishments are from the blessings of Heaven, not from my ability." -
Stories from Ancient China: In order to Become a Person with Great Integrity, One Must Be Able to Endure Small Things
2006-01-12Han Qi served as the Prime Minister under three generations of Emperors at the Imperial Court during the Song Dynasty. He was a straightforward and upstanding person known for his generosity and great breadth of mind. People respectfully called him “Sir Han.” He once said, “In order to become a person with great integrity, one must be able to endure small things.” -
Zeng Bu Doing a Charitable Deed during a Visit to the Capital City
2006-01-11He told Zeng Bu, “I was a government official. Something happened in my family, and I took taxpayers’ money for my personal use. The local government is investigating the case. I don’t have enough money to pay back the money I stole, so I have no choice but to sell my daughter to a merchant for 400,000 coins [note: 1000 coins was equivalent to 1 gram of silver]. I just brought my daughter over to the merchant’s house today. I was bidding farewell to my daughter in tears when you heard us.” -
Strictly Cultivating Morality and Returning Good for Evil
2006-01-08He would put a yellow soybean into one bottle whenever a kind intention arose in his mind or if he performed a good deed. He would put a black bean to the other bottle whenever there was an evil thought in his mind or if he performed a bad deed. At first, there were more black beans. Judging from this, we can see that everyone has shortcomings and makes mistakes. The key is how we deal with them. -
The Profound Chinese Language (Episode 2): Goat
2006-01-06From the perspective of ancient Chinese people, a goat is a symbol of luck and peace. Luck and peace is written as 吉祥 in modern times, but they were written as 吉羊 in ancient times. This is because peace (祥) and goat (羊) shared the same Chinese character in ancient times. The goat is a docile and peaceful animal. Goats do not bully the weak and rarely lose their temper. When they do fight occasionally, they simply bump against each other’s horns to test each other’s strength and never resort to sneaky attacks -
The Profound Chinese Language (Episode 1): Cangjie’s Tears
2006-01-04Cangjie: Forget about convenience or speed. There is a Chinese saying, “Haste makes waste.” Every stroke in a Chinese character carries a special meaning. When you change a Chinese character’s form, you will alter its meaning. The consequences will be very severe. We absolutely must not modify or damage the Chinese characters’ forms at will only to make it easier to write them. -
Stories from Ancient China: Accepting Criticism Improves Conduct, Allowing Bad Habits to be Prevented
2005-12-31Tangtaizong said, "That is true, indeed. When I am doing something wrong, you need to admonish me as soon as I begin. I found that in previous dynasties some emperors did not like to hear their officials admonish them. They always said, 'It is done already,' or 'I have given my consent already,' and did not want to correct themselves. In this way, how could they avoid failing?" -
The Relationship Between Warrior Lian Po and Superior Minister Who As He Wishes Lin Xiangru
2005-12-28Lian Po thought of his achievements in battle and compared himself to Lin Xiangru, who was born in a humble family. How could Lin Xiangru be placed higher in rank than he simply because of his ability to talk? Lian Po felt quite distressed and claimed repeatably that, if he ever met up with Lin Xiangru, he would teach him a lesson and dishonour him to his face. Against his expectations, he never saw Lin Xiangru whenever he went to the court, making him even more furious. -
Stories from Ancient China: A True Gentleman Behaves in a Modest Manner, Naturally Gaining the Respect of the People
2005-12-27After Zhao Kuangyin became the emperor, he once asked Cao, “In the past, I always wanted to get to know you better. Why did you deliberately keep your distance and stay away from me?” Cao Bin replied, “I was a close relative of the former Zhou emperor and was also an official in his court. I was concentrating on fulfilling my duties and not making any mistakes. How did I dare to befriend Your Majesty?” The Emperor thought even more highly of him because of his honest answer. -
The Emperor's Greed Destroys His Country; An Official's Greed Destroys His Body
2005-12-26"The Emperor's greed destroys his country while an official's greed destroys his body." This was what Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty, used to exhort his government officials not to take bribes or practise graft, and to caution himself. Emperor Taizong and his officials managed to rule the country by virtue and, through this, bring peace and stability. Together they made the Great Tang Dynasty one of the most prosperous in China's history. -
Stories from Ancient China: Being Arrogant and Having No Fear Provokes Disaster, Step on Rugged Terrain with Modest Discretion
2005-12-21Ji Xiaolan remarked, “Out of all the major character flaws, there is almost nothing worse than being arrogant and fearless, thinking one has things that he can rely on. People who rely on their wealth are often defeated because of their wealth. People who rely on their power are often defeated because of their power. People who rely on wisdom are often defeated because of their wisdom. People who rely on their strength are often defeated because of their strength." -
Stories from Ancient China: Feet Create the Path - No Effort Means No Progress
2005-12-18If you really study, then even the most challenging subject can become easy. On the other hand, if you don't want to study, then even the easiest assignment becomes difficult. If one relies on his own intellect and educational background but refuses to study more, then the person will destroy his future. Those who refused to be discouraged by their own average intelligence and capability and continued to learn did obtain success through their own efforts. -
Ancient Chinese Tales about Valuing Virtue above Material Gain
2005-12-17A lot of virtuous men in ancient China valued virtue and loyalty above material gain. They thought little of their own fortune while being enthusiastic about giving charity to others. They were content with a simple, minimal lifestyle and would try their best to help people in need unconditionally, even strangers.
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